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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go đ
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At the end of May, the season finale of "Desperate Housewives" brought Eva Longoria a lot of attention.
This hot Mexican-American girl became a sensation across America!
Big stars could always be seen in the front row seats of Madison Square Garden, with many of the highly-priced tickets bought by agencies.
Many times, even sitting in the front row wouldn't get you much screen time, but it was different for Eva, with her dark hair and exquisite makeup.
The director always found her.
Pretty girls definitely got better treatment.
Eva, wearing a black San Antonio Spurs T-shirt, smiled and waved at the camera, drawing another round of cheers.
After a perfect start, New York fans began to enjoy the game.
Tonight seemed to be the familiar easy win everyone was used to!
Parker, who was about to re-enter the game, was almost sprayed in the face by Gregg Popovich's spit.
He was indeed overwhelmed by "love," making 1 of 5 shots in the first quarter, scoring a measly 2 points, and being blocked by Lee twice.
The San Antonio Spurs had a terrible start, digging a big hole, and failed to respond even in the early part of the second quarter.
Taking advantage of this timeout, Gregg Popovich substituted Udrih, Robert Horry, and Manu Ginobili.
Parker, Bruce Bowen, and Mohammed re-entered the game.
Before they went on, Gregg Popovich still seemed worried, pulling Parker aside and talking incessantly:
"Control the rhythm, don't be like a rookie who only sees the basket!"
"Don't turn the ball over, I don't want to sub you out next possession!"
Parker could only nod in frustration.
Many New York fans in the Madison Square Garden were still booing and shouting, and some onlookers seemed to be jealous that Eva chose the Frenchman.
22:38, with 8 minutes and 48 seconds left in the half, one team had 5 points, and the other had 6 points.
Lee also re-entered the game after a period of rest.
With an early lead established and the opponent performing poorly, the New York Knicks naturally rotated boldly.
Derek Fisher and Barnes were substituted out, and the New York Knicks also brought in Kurt Thomas, no longer using a small lineup.
Both teams' one-big, four-small adjustments performed generally.
Derek Fisher, back on the bench, immediately made excuses for himself:
"The opponent keeps shrinking into the paint. The league should really restrict zone Defense!"
Old Fish wiped his face with a towel, looking like he had given his all.
Without a strong scorer, the second unit indeed had no good way to deal with a 3-2 zone, relying entirely on the opponent missing shots.
Lee, re-entering the game, felt a slight sense of incongruity seeing Parker and Brent Barry paired in the backcourt.
Although it was unclear whether the "Wife Swap" incident would still happen to the San Antonio Spurs in the future, seeing the two interact closely on the court, a hint of gossip also emerged in Lee's mind.
"Defense!"
Amidst the cheers for Defense, the New York Knicks still stuck to man-to-man.
Parker, after bringing the ball across half-court while being denied, quickly passed the ball to Tim Duncan, who had come to the left elbow area via a baseline cross-screen.
Parker passed the ball and continued to cut along the baseline towards the right corner.
Tim Duncan didn't pass again.
Facing the basket against Amar'e Stoudemire's Defense, he quickly took a jab step with his right foot.
Taking advantage of Amar'e Stoudemire's backward shift, Tim Duncan decisively pulled up for a jump shot and scored!
Aside from two turnovers, Tim Duncan performed well in the first quarter, but he couldn't help the San Antonio Spurs close the gap.
Retreating on Defense, Tim Duncan returned to the basket and loudly directed his teammates.
The San Antonio Spurs did not double-team immediately.
Only Parker actively played tight Defense.
When Amar'e Stoudemire came near the free-throw line to set a screen, it still didn't change the opponent's defensive formation.
Tim Duncan and Mohammed remained under the basket.
Before the screen could happen, Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, suddenly stopped short and exploded the ball, leaning into the defender to complete a back-spin, gaining half a step, and driving straight to the basket from the top of the arc with the ball in his right hand!
Near the free-throw line, Bruce Bowen had already rotated to help, and Barnes on the other side also converged towards the basket from the left corner.
While moving, Lee suddenly spun, facing the help Defense from up high, shaking off Bruce Bowen.
The trailing Parker and the cutting Amar'e Stoudemire were entangled.
As Lee spun and gathered the ball, arriving in the paint directly in front of the basket, the San Antonio Spurs players, who had completely collapsed their Defense, all swarmed around him.
Duncan raised his left arm, immediately noticing Lee's subtle pass.
Amar'e Stoudemire, following up from behind, caught the ball and exploded.
Tim Duncan, who was prepared, immediately went to meet him.
Despite making the correct defensive choice, the cutting Amar'e Stoudemire had extremely quick explosiveness.
After body contact in the air, he was still ascending, gripping the ball with his right hand and slamming it over Tim Duncan's extended arm!
The basket rattled. Tim Duncan almost lost his balance after landing, and looking at Amar'e Stoudemire roaring with his head tilted back beside him, he cursed under his breath in frustration:
"Shit!"
24:40. Clay Lee changed the team's offense as soon as he entered the game.
Facing the zone Defense, he chose a simple and brutal strong drive from up high.
Parker, learning from the experience of the first quarter, became more cautious when initiating pick-and-rolls.
The double-digit deficit forced the San Antonio Spurs to speed up their offensive rhythm.
Mohammed's solid screen near the top of the arc successfully delayed Lee's trailing Defense.
Kurt Thomas, who switched on Defense in time, naturally sagged back.
Parker, holding the ball in his left hand, didn't force a drive again.
Coming near the left elbow area, he seized the opportunity and immediately pulled up for a jump shot!
"Swish!" The two-pointer swished through the net.
At the commentary table, Hubie Brown, seeing both teams seemingly regaining their touch, commented again:
"To tie the score with only mid-range jump shots, the San Antonio Spurs must demonstrate championship-level Defense."
Michaels, although he felt his partner made sense, mostly commentated on New York Knicks games, so he instinctively added:
"No one can limit Lee's drives. This will be a huge test for the defenders."
Using the same tactic, the New York Knicks still set up in a 1-3-1 alignment.
As Amar'e Stoudemire came up for a screen near the free-throw line, the two wings began to move towards the corners.
Noticing the movement behind him, Parker had no choice but to stick to him again.
As the opponent moved down, Lee took advantage and changed direction with a between-the-legs dribble.
Amar'e Stoudemire had just set his feet when Lee, swaying his body to the front-left, immediately changed direction with a front-dribble.
Parker instinctively slid, making the correct defensive read, but Lee, flying low with the ball in his right hand, had an extremely low center of gravity.
Relying on his strong body, he directly squeezed past the Defense.
The San Antonio Spurs' defensive line contracted again.
Barnes and Bruce Bowen had just moved closer to the paint when Lee suddenly took a hop step at the free-throw line.
Completely shaking off the Defense, Lee, jumping off both feet, ignored the Defense under the basket, gripped the ball with his right hand, and forcefully took off.
Mohammed had already jumped to block, and Tim Duncan on the other side, after jumping into the air, struggled to extend his left arm, staring intently at Lee.
Just as the two were about to converge, Tim Duncan in the air realized that Lee seemed faster than them.
In a flash, the basketball soared over the Defense and slammed into the basket!
The referee's whistle blew.
Seeing Tim Duncan land awkwardly, Michaels instinctively shouted:
"My God! Clay Lee's ferocious dunk shattered the Defense!"
After completing the dunk, Lee saw the New York fans in the front row cheering excitedly.
He pounded his chest twice and continued to show off under the basket:
"Who's next? No one can stop me tonight!"
The ferocious dunk coupled with his inflammatory words made many New York fans stand up and punch the air in celebration.
If it were Shaquille O'Neal, he would probably retort a couple of times, but Tim Duncan remained silent.
Instead, Bruce Bowen, who was nearby, wanted to provoke him but was pushed away by Lee, who left him with his back turned.
Amar'e Stoudemire was also very excited. Standing beside the paint, leaning on his knees, he said with a grin towards Parker:
"After we win this game, we should invite Eva to the locker room. Maybe she'll choose again."
As soon as Parker heard this, he instantly broke down, rushing straight to the basket and angrily cursing:
"Fuck you, shut your stinking mouth!"
Before Lee could take his free throw, both sides were already jostling under the basket, exchanging greetings.
Ever since the San Antonio media gossiped about Eva and Parker meeting in the locker room and falling in love at first sight, many players would tease them about it.
The onlookers were all envious, jealous, and hateful.
Although Parker was selected for the All-Star, some players still considered him a minor character.
The referee timely separated the two sides and warned Amar'e Stoudemire.
When Clay Lee received the basketball at the free-throw line, a cheer erupted again in the Madison Square Garden:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
With the score at 26:43, after Lee made his extra free throw, the lead continued to widen.
The huge lead forced the San Antonio Spurs to start looking for three-point opportunities.
After a high pick-and-roll, Parker missed an open three-pointer from the left wing.
Lee grabbed the long rebound and assisted a fast-breaking Tayshaun Prince for a one-handed slam dunk!
The San Antonio Spurs moved the ball in and out.
Tim Duncan, in the right low post, passed the ball to Brent Barry on the perimeter.
The latter received the ball again, and facing the returning Bruce Bowen, he hesitated and was directly stolen, regrettably committing a foul.
"Wow!"
Seeing signs of the San Antonio Spurs collapsing, the cheers in the Madison Square Garden grew louder and louder.
At the commentary table, Hubie Brown watched Lee calmly dribble past half-court and could only find an excuse for the San Antonio Spurs:
"Consecutive road trips, this might have affected the San Antonio Spurs' competitive state."
"Facing an opponent like the New York Knicks, they must respond in time. It's a pity the San Antonio Spurs currently can't do that."
Barry immediately double-teamed Lee with Parker.
When Bruce Bowen received the pass on the left wing, Tim Duncan rotated on Defense in time.
Seeing Barry about to return to Defense, Bruce Bowen didn't risk a half-court pass but instead passed it back to Lee, who was far from the three-point line.
Tim Duncan returned to Defense in time.
Lee faced Parker, who was shuffling backward to maintain distance, then put the ball down with his right hand and accelerated in a straight line.
Parker, sliding desperately to his left-rear to establish a defensive position early, made the correct defensive choice.
Clay Lee ignored the body contact and continued to drive forcefully through the Defense.
As he neared the three-point line, Lee suddenly stopped short, dribbled behind his back, and created space.
Seeing Lee look up at the rim, Parker, due to inertia, barely adjusted his center of gravity, attempting to stick to him again.
At the top of the arc, Lee again pushed the ball for a change of direction, feigning a drive forward.
While Parker slid backward again, he immediately pulled the ball back between his legs.
Parker stood rooted, reaching out, unable to jump up and contest, watching Lee calmly gather the ball and shoot a stable jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
Michaels didn't expect the San Antonio Spurs to collapse so quickly and concluded in an incredulous tone:
"The lead has already reached 20 points! Clay Lee has virtually ended the game!"
Madison Square Garden erupted.
Gregg Popovich was forced to call a timeout.
Watching his players return to their seats with blank expressions, Gregg Popovich could only turn his gaze to Manu Ginobili.
After the timeout, both teams brought back their starting lineups.
Although the San Antonio Spurs sped up their offensive pace, they still scored in small, scattered bursts.
After Pau Gasol entered the game, Lee faced a double-team.
In a 4-on-3 situation, both wings quickly started to respond.
In the previous possession, Tim Duncan made both free throws.
Turning back, Pau Gasol passed the ball from the free-throw line to an unguarded Bruce Bowen.
An open three-pointer from the left corner swished through the net again, and the San Antonio Spurs' bench grew even quieter.
Glenn Robinson stared intently at the New York Knicks' fluid offense, the joy of eliminating Ray Allen completely gone.
Facing Bruce Bowen's Defense, Lee only needed to hop-step and one change of direction to shake him off.
The San Antonio Spurs' perimeter players could only constantly help out on Defense.
Only in some possessions, when a three-pointer was missed, could they launch some counterattacks.
The lead continued to widen.
With 1 minute and 12 seconds left in the first half, Manu Ginobili missed another three-pointer.
Clay Lee, who secured the long rebound, immediately pulled up for a stop-and-pop three-pointer on the fast break.
The basketball hit the rim and bounced out, but the long rebound was picked up by Tayshaun Prince, who had just crossed half-court.
Gregg Popovich, losing his composure, turned and sat back on the bench.
On the secondary break, Tayshaun Prince passed the ball to Pau Gasol in the left block.
Lee feigned receiving the ball, then accelerated and ran back.
The moment he shook off Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, with his back to the basket, delivered a bounce pass.
From the left near-baseline, Lee, upon receiving the ball, took one step and exploded upwards!
Ignoring Mohammed, who had rotated over from under the basket to help on Defense, and before he could reach out, Lee, gripping the ball with his left hand, swung his arm for a powerful dunk!
"Oh!"
The referee didn't blow the whistle.
The fans in the front row cheered excitedly.
The dunk in the second quarter was thoroughly enjoyable for everyone.
In the final few possessions of the half, Parker continued to miss shots.
Fortunately, on the last possession, Tim Duncan grabbed an offensive rebound, and Parker's pull-up jumper from the free-throw line helped the team score another 2 points.
With the score at 37:60 at halftime, the game was essentially out of reach.
During halftime, Gregg Popovich's pep talk clearly had no effect.
After the second half began, the San Antonio Spurs, fatigued from consecutive road trips, lost their excitement, and weariness began to set in.
Constantly running transition offense, led by Lee, the lead continued to expand.
Mike D'Antoni had intended to appear serious, but seeing no signs of a San Antonio Spurs rebound, Mike D'Antoni couldn't help but smile.
Tim Duncan started to take on more of the ball-handling duties, but +2 was already too late.
In the latter half of the 3rd quarter, Manu Ginobili made consecutive shots but couldn't help the team cut into the lead.
With a single-quarter score of 22:30, and the overall score reaching 59:90, Gregg Popovich brought in the bench mob early, completely giving up on the game.
In 33 minutes, Tim Duncan put up impressive numbers: 9-of-17 from the field, 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 turnovers.
It was predictable that if he continued to play in the 4th quarter, Tim Duncan would surely achieve a 30+10 double-double tonight.
Tony Parker was 4-of-15 from the field, 0-of-2 from three-point range, and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line, totaling 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 turnovers.
Manu Ginobili was 4-of-10 from the field, 1-of-3 from three-point range, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, totaling 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers.
The San Antonio Spurs' big three were all leaning back in their seats, staring intently at the game.
The entire bench was silent, with only Gregg Popovich still shouting from the sidelines, seemingly venting his dissatisfaction.
The New York Knicks, on the other hand, were beaming with joy.
Winning decisively against an opponent while well-rested was a great start to the series.
Clay Lee played 32 minutes, shooting 13-of-19 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, accumulating 34 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover.
With ample preparation, Lee's individual strong drives dismantled the opponent's zone Defense.
Hill, in a formal suit, occasionally stood up to cheer for everyone.
When he returned to the bench, he covered his mouth and quietly teased:
"It seems the newspapers were right. You really are Tim Duncan's bane!"
Small-ball handling for three-pointers, one-on-one strong drives to the basketâthis is why Lee always puts up impressive numbers against the San Antonio Spurs.
Lee didn't particularly like this title.
Tim Duncan currently had no championships, and the gap in their accolades was significant:
"'Bane of traditional big men' is more fitting. Perhaps in a few years, Tim Duncan will also be shooting three-pointers from the perimeter."
"..."
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